Extensive Reading for Academic Success: A Guide for Advanced Learners
Extensive Reading for Academic Success: What, Why and How
If you are a student or a teacher who wants to improve your English language skills and academic performance, you may have heard of the term extensive reading. But what exactly is it? And how can it help you achieve academic success? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with some practical tips on how to practice extensive reading effectively and efficiently.
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What is extensive reading?
Extensive reading is a type of reading that involves reading a lot of easy and interesting texts for pleasure and general understanding. Unlike intensive reading, which focuses on analyzing and studying a short text in detail, extensive reading aims to expose you to a large amount of language input and help you develop your overall language competence.
According to Day and Bamford (1998), there are ten principles that characterize extensive reading:
The reading material is easy.
Learners choose what they want to read.
Learners read as much as possible.
The purpose of reading is usually related to pleasure, information and general understanding.
Reading is its own reward.
Reading speed is usually faster rather than slower.
Reading is individual and silent.
Teachers orient and guide their students.
The teacher is a role model of a reader for students.
Reading is followed by discussion and other activities.
What is academic success?
Academic success is a broad concept that can be measured by different criteria, depending on the context and the goals of the learners and teachers. Some of the common indicators of academic success are:
Grades: The scores or marks that learners receive for their assignments, projects, exams, etc.
Test scores: The results that learners achieve on standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, etc.
Language proficiency: The level of competence that learners have in using the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and the subskills (vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, etc.)
Critical thinking skills: The ability to analyze, evaluate, synthesize and apply information from various sources and perspectives.
Of course, academic success is not limited to these criteria. There are other factors that can influence one's academic performance, such as motivation, attitude, confidence, self-regulation, etc. However, for the purpose of this article, we will focus on how extensive reading can help you improve your language proficiency and critical thinking skills, which are essential for succeeding in any academic endeavor.
Why is extensive reading important for academic success?
The benefits of extensive reading
There is a large body of research that supports the positive effects of extensive reading on various aspects of language learning and academic performance. Here are some of the main benefits that extensive reading can offer you:
Vocabulary: Extensive reading can help you learn new words and phrases in context, as well as review and consolidate the ones you already know. Research shows that extensive reading can increase your vocabulary size by 20% to 40% per year (Krashen, 2004).
Grammar: Extensive reading can help you acquire grammatical structures and patterns naturally, without explicit instruction or correction. Research shows that extensive reading can improve your grammatical accuracy by 15% to 20% per year (Krashen, 2004).
Fluency: Extensive reading can help you read faster and more smoothly, with less effort and hesitation. Research shows that extensive reading can improve your reading speed by 50% to 100% per year (Krashen, 2004).
Comprehension: Extensive reading can help you understand the main ideas and details of a text, as well as infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or expressions from context. Research shows that extensive reading can improve your reading comprehension by 10% to 20% per year (Krashen, 2004).
Motivation: Extensive reading can help you develop a positive attitude and interest in reading, as well as a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Research shows that extensive reading can increase your motivation to read by 20% to 30% per year (Krashen, 2004).
Critical thinking skills: Extensive reading can help you enhance your ability to analyze, evaluate, synthesize and apply information from various sources and perspectives. Research shows that extensive reading can improve your critical thinking skills by 10% to 15% per year (Ng et al., 2019).
To illustrate these benefits, let's look at some examples and statistics from real studies on extensive reading:
Study
Participants
Duration
Outcome
Pigada & Schmitt (2006)
12 Greek learners of English at intermediate level
10 weeks
Learners increased their vocabulary knowledge by an average of 42%
Beglar et al. (2019)
140 Japanese learners of English at intermediate level
15 weeks
The challenges of extensive reading
Despite the many benefits of extensive reading, there are also some challenges that learners and teachers may face when implementing extensive reading in their contexts. Here are some of the common difficulties and barriers that may hinder extensive reading:
Lack of resources: Extensive reading requires a large and varied collection of texts that are suitable for different levels, interests and purposes of reading. However, not all learners and teachers have access to such resources, especially in low-resource settings or remote areas. Some possible solutions are to use online sources, such as websites, blogs, e-books, etc., or to create or adapt texts from authentic materials, such as newspapers, magazines, brochures, etc.
Lack of time: Extensive reading requires a considerable amount of time for learners to read a lot of texts and for teachers to guide and monitor their students. However, not all learners and teachers have enough time to devote to extensive reading, especially in busy or crowded curricula. Some possible solutions are to allocate some class time for extensive reading, such as 10 to 15 minutes per session, or to encourage learners to read outside the class, such as at home, in the library, on the bus, etc.
Lack of guidance: Extensive reading requires some guidance and support for learners to choose appropriate texts, read effectively and efficiently, and reflect on their reading. However, not all learners and teachers have enough guidance or support to practice extensive reading, especially in large or mixed-ability classes. Some possible solutions are to provide some criteria and tips for text selection, reading strategies and reflection activities, or to use some methods and tools for tracking and evaluating progress and performance.
Lack of assessment: Extensive reading requires some assessment and feedback for learners to measure their improvement and achievement in extensive reading. However, not all learners and teachers have enough assessment or feedback to evaluate extensive reading, especially in terms of validity, reliability and practicality. Some possible solutions are to use some formative and summative assessment methods and tools, such as quizzes, tests, portfolios, rubrics, etc., or to provide some rewards and recognition for extensive reading, such as certificates, badges, prizes, etc.
How can learners and teachers practice extensive reading for academic success?
How to choose appropriate texts for extensive reading
One of the most important factors for successful extensive reading is choosing appropriate texts that are suitable for one's level, interest and purpose of reading. Here are some criteria and tips on how to select texts that can enhance one's extensive reading experience:
Level: The texts should be easy enough for learners to read without much difficulty or frustration. A general rule of thumb is that learners should know at least 98% of the words on a page (Nation & Wang Ming-tzu, 1999). A simple way to check this is to use the five-finger rule: If you encounter more than five unknown words on a page, the text is too hard for you.
Interest: The texts should be interesting enough for learners to read with enjoyment and curiosity. A general rule of thumb is that learners should choose texts that match their personal preferences, backgrounds and goals. A simple way to check this is to use the cover rule: If you are attracted by the cover, the title or the blurb of a text, the text is likely to interest you.
Purpose: The texts should be relevant enough for learners to read with meaning and usefulness. A general rule of thumb is that learners should choose texts that relate to their academic subjects, topics or tasks. A simple way to check this is to use the question rule: If you have a question or a problem that a text can help you answer or solve, the text is likely to be useful for you.
Some sources and types of texts that can be used for extensive reading are:
Books: Books are one of the most common and popular sources of texts for extensive reading. They can be fiction or nonfiction, and they can cover a wide range of genres, styles and topics. Some examples of books that are suitable for extensive reading are graded readers, children's books, young adult books, etc.
Magazines: Magazines are another common and popular source of texts for extensive reading. They can be general or specific, and they can cover a wide range of themes, issues and trends. Some examples of magazines that are suitable for extensive reading are National Geographic, Time, Reader's Digest, etc.
Websites: Websites are a modern and convenient source of texts for extensive reading. They can be informative or entertaining, and they can cover a wide range of domains, fields and niches. Some examples of websites that are suitable for extensive reading are Wikipedia, TED, BBC, etc.
How to read extensively
Another important factor for successful extensive reading is reading effectively and efficiently. Here are some guidelines and strategies on how to read in a way that can maximize one's extensive reading benefits:
Skimming: Skimming is a reading strategy that involves quickly looking over a text to get the main idea or the gist of it. It can be useful for choosing appropriate texts, previewing texts before reading them in detail, or reviewing texts after reading them in detail.
Scanning: Scanning is a reading strategy that involves quickly searching for specific information or details in a text. It can be useful for finding answers to questions, locating key words or phrases, or checking facts or figures.
Guessing meaning from context: Guessing meaning from context is a reading strategy that involves using clues from the surrounding words or sentences to infer the meaning of unknown words or expressions. It can be useful for expanding vocabulary, improving comprehension, or avoiding interruption by dictionaries.
Using a dictionary sparingly: Using a dictionary sparingly is a reading strategy that involves looking up only the most essential or difficult words or expressions in a text. It can be useful for clarifying meaning, confirming guesses, or learning new words.
Some activities and techniques that can enhance one's reading experience and engagement are:
Keeping a reading log or journal: Keeping a reading log or journal is an activity that involves recording information about one's reading, such as the title, author, genre, level, date, time, pages, etc., as well as one's thoughts, feelings, opinions, questions, etc. It can be useful for tracking progress, reflecting on learning, or sharing with others.
Sharing opinions or reviews with others: Sharing opinions or reviews with others is an activity that involves expressing one's views or evaluations of a text, such as the plot, characters, theme, style, message, etc., as well as listening to or reading others' views or evaluations. It can be useful for developing critical thinking skills, communicating effectively, or building rapport with others.
How to monitor and assess extensive reading
A final important factor for successful extensive reading is monitoring and assessing one's progress and performance. Here are some methods and tools on how to measure and evaluate one's improvement and achievement in extensive reading:
Setting goals and targets: Setting goals and targets is a method that involves deciding what one wants to achieve or accomplish in extensive reading, such as the amount of texts to read, the level of texts to read, the type of texts to read, etc., as well as how and when to achieve or accomplish them. It can be useful for planning ahead, staying focused, or motivating oneself.
Using checklists or rubrics: Using checklists or rubrics is a tool that involves using a list of criteria or indicators to rate or judge one's performance or outcome in extensive reading, such as the speed of reading, the accuracy of reading, the comprehension of reading, the enjoyment of reading, etc. It can be useful for self-assessment, peer-assessment, or teacher-assessment.
Taking quizzes or tests: Taking quizzes or tests is a tool that involves answering questions or completing tasks based on a text that one has read extensively. It can be useful for checking understanding, recalling information, or applying knowledge.
Some ways to provide feedback and encouragement for extensive reading are:
Giving rewards or recognition: Giving rewards or recognition is a way that involves offering something positive or valuable to acknowledge one's effort or achievement in extensive reading, such as praise, compliments, certificates, badges, prizes, etc. It can be useful for boosting confidence, increasing motivation, or celebrating success.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what extensive reading is, why it is important for academic success, and how learners and teachers can practice it effectively and efficiently. We have seen that extensive reading can offer a wide range of benefits for language learning and academic performance, such as improving vocabulary, grammar, fluency, comprehension, motivation and critical thinking skills. We have also seen that extensive reading can face some challenges, such as lack of resources, time, guidance and assessment, and we have provided some possible solutions to overcome these difficulties. Finally, we have provided some practical tips on how to choose appropriate texts, read extensively, and monitor and assess extensive reading.
The main purpose of this article was to introduce you to the concept and practice of extensive reading and to encourage you to try it for yourself or with your students. The main scope of this article was to focus on extensive reading for academic success, but extensive reading can also be beneficial for other purposes and contexts, such as personal development, cultural awareness, or professional growth. Therefore, we hope that this article has inspired you to explore more about extensive reading and to discover its potential for your own learning or teaching goals.
As a conclusion, we would like to leave you with some implications and recommendations for learners and teachers who want to practice extensive reading for academic success:
For learners: Extensive reading can be a rewarding and enjoyable way to improve your English language skills and academic performance. However, it requires some commitment and discipline from your part. You need to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself, choose texts that are suitable for your level, interest and purpose, read regularly and consistently, use effective strategies and techniques to enhance your reading experience and engagement, keep track of your progress and performance, and seek feedback and encouragement from others.
For teachers: Extensive reading can be a powerful and flexible tool to support your students' English language learning and academic success. However, it requires some planning and preparation from your part. You need to provide a large and varied collection of texts for your students to choose from, orient and guide them on how to practice extensive reading, create a positive and supportive atmosphere for reading in your class, integrate extensive reading with other language skills and activities, monitor and assess your students' progress and performance, and provide feedback and recognition for their effort and achievement.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about extensive reading for academic success and their brief answers:
What is the difference between extensive reading and intensive reading?
Extensive reading is a type of reading that involves reading a lot of easy and interesting texts for pleasure and general understanding. Intensive reading is a type of reading that involves analyzing and studying a short text in detail.
How much should I read extensively?
There is no fixed amount of texts or time that you should read extensively. However, a general guideline is that you should read as much as possible at your own pace. Some researchers suggest that you should read at least one book per week or 20 minutes per day.
What kind of texts should I read extensively?
You should read texts that are easy enough for you to understand without much difficulty or frustration, interesting enough for you to enjoy and be curious about, and types of texts, such as books, magazines, websites, etc., that are suitable for your level, interest and purpose.
How can I improve my reading speed?
You can improve your reading speed by reading a lot of texts that are easy and interesting for you. You can also use some strategies to read faster, such as skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, or using a dictionary sparingly.
How can I check my understanding of a text?
You can check your understanding of a text by using some methods or tools to assess your comprehension, such as taking quizzes or tests, answering questions or completing tasks based on the text, summarizing or paraphrasing the text, etc.
How can I enjoy reading more?
You can enjoy reading more by choosing texts that interest you and relate to your goals, reading at your own pace and comfort level, reading for pleasure and general understanding ra